(in alphabetical order) 創會二十一周年慶典 2016 Brochure 170116Cover...Institutional Events...
23
Transcript of (in alphabetical order) 創會二十一周年慶典 2016 Brochure 170116Cover...Institutional Events...
FRONT COVERBACK COVER
創會二十一周年慶典21st Anniversary Celebration
SponsorsSponsors(in alphabetical order)
®®
TOPBUILD Investments Limited開 捷 企 業 股 份 ( 香 港 ) 有 限 公 司
不銹鋼飲用水管道系統
INSIDE FRONT P1
INSIDE FRONT P1
P3P2
2 | 3
會長報告President’s Report for 2015-2016
During the period of Council Year 2015-2016, only five council meetings and one disciplinary committee meeting were successfully held and the attendance rate of our council members were about 60%, and our institution had continuously to adopt the following meetings for session 2015-2016;
1. Advisory Board2. Examination Boardt3. Educational Committee4. Membership & Practice Committee5. Development & Events Committee and6. Editorial Committee
This year is 20th anniversary for our HKICW in 2016 and my Presidential calendar was already filled up with various invitations and other events throughout the year.
Our HKICW attended and fully support to the Building Safety Week 2016 as organised by Buildings Department of HKSAR and also organised the first technical visit for our members to Helicopter Hangar - Construction & Operations at Jiu Zhou Ferry Port, Zhu Hai. We had been involved as one of supporting partners for Build4Asia 2016 and being as a supporting organisation for CPD seminar as presented by ICAC – Corruption Risks and Professional Ethics in the Construction Industry. Our HKICW had the opportunity to meet with new CEO and other Key Officials of Australian Institute of Building (AIB) while their visit to our Secretariat Office.
There were some of the “ first “ ever for our HKICW, 1st - “first” for our members to participate the community activity of “Eye-Dotting Ceremony” and “Dragon Boat Race 2016” at Tai Po District, and 2nd - “first” for us to jointly organize with ICWCI HK for seminar and visit at Qianhai, Shenzhen, PRC and 3rd - “first” for us to collaborate the event of Lo Pan Patron’s Dinner 2016（欣賞香港，傳承文化，2016師傅誕晚宴）cum signing ceremony of MOU among HKICW for better relationships and partnerships.
I would like to thank all the people who have contributed of their support, help and encouragement to our HKICW.
Have a great day.
Charles ChangPresident, HKICWOctober 2016
Mr. Charles ChangPresident, HKICW
3 會長報告 President’s Report 2015-2016
4-7 賀辭 Congratulatory Messages
8 財務報告 Finance Report
9 收支報告 Income & Expenditure
10 核數師報告 Auditor's Report
11-12 學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
13-18 活動花絮 Activities Photo Gallery
19 架構表 The Organizations Structure
20 理事 2016-2017 Office Bearers
21 執行委員 2016-2017 Council Members
22-37 技術文章 Technical Paper
38-45 捐贈 / 會員統計 / 會員名單 Donation 2015 ~ 2016/ Membership Statistics 2011 ~ 2015/ List of Members
43-51 廣告 Advertisements
Back Cover 贊助機構 Sponsors
3 會長報告 President’s Report 2015-2016
4-7 賀辭 Congratulatory Messages
8 財務報告 Finance Report
9 收支報告 Income & Expenditure
10 核數師報告 Auditor's Report
11-12 學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
13-18 活動花絮 Activities Photo Gallery
19 架構表 The Organizations Structure
20 理事 2016-2017 Office Bearers
21 執行委員 2016-2017 Council Members
22-37 技術文章 Technical Paper
38-45 捐贈 / 會員統計 / 會員名單 Donation 2015 ~ 2016/ Membership Statistics 2011 ~ 2015/ List of Members
43-51 廣告 Advertisements
Back Cover 贊助機構 Sponsors
目錄Contents
Secretariat Office :
Unit 1409, 14/F.,
King's Commercial Building,
2-4 Chatham Court,
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Tel : 2815 7030
Fax : 2575 1261
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.hkicw.org
編務緊迫 如有錯漏及
未盡善之處 祈望包涵
Designed & Printed byProfessional Publications Co.Tel : (852) 2581 9028
P3P2
2 | 3
會長報告President’s Report for 2015-2016
During the period of Council Year 2015-2016, only five council meetings and one disciplinary committee meeting were successfully held and the attendance rate of our council members were about 60%, and our institution had continuously to adopt the following meetings for session 2015-2016;
1. Advisory Board2. Examination Boardt3. Educational Committee4. Membership & Practice Committee5. Development & Events Committee and6. Editorial Committee
This year is 20th anniversary for our HKICW in 2016 and my Presidential calendar was already filled up with various invitations and other events throughout the year.
Our HKICW attended and fully support to the Building Safety Week 2016 as organised by Buildings Department of HKSAR and also organised the first technical visit for our members to Helicopter Hangar - Construction & Operations at Jiu Zhou Ferry Port, Zhu Hai. We had been involved as one of supporting partners for Build4Asia 2016 and being as a supporting organisation for CPD seminar as presented by ICAC – Corruption Risks and Professional Ethics in the Construction Industry. Our HKICW had the opportunity to meet with new CEO and other Key Officials of Australian Institute of Building (AIB) while their visit to our Secretariat Office.
There were some of the “ first “ ever for our HKICW, 1st - “first” for our members to participate the community activity of “Eye-Dotting Ceremony” and “Dragon Boat Race 2016” at Tai Po District, and 2nd - “first” for us to jointly organize with ICWCI HK for seminar and visit at Qianhai, Shenzhen, PRC and 3rd - “first” for us to collaborate the event of Lo Pan Patron’s Dinner 2016（欣賞香港，傳承文化，2016師傅誕晚宴）cum signing ceremony of MOU among HKICW for better relationships and partnerships.
I would like to thank all the people who have contributed of their support, help and encouragement to our HKICW.
Have a great day.
Charles ChangPresident, HKICWOctober 2016
Mr. Charles ChangPresident, HKICW
3 會長報告 President’s Report 2015-2016
4-7 賀辭 Congratulatory Messages
8 財務報告 Finance Report
9 收支報告 Income & Expenditure
10 核數師報告 Auditor's Report
11-12 學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
13-18 活動花絮 Activities Photo Gallery
19 架構表 The Organizations Structure
20 理事 2016-2017 Office Bearers
21 執行委員 2016-2017 Council Members
22-37 技術文章 Technical Paper
38-45 捐贈 / 會員統計 / 會員名單 Donation 2015 ~ 2016/ Membership Statistics 2011 ~ 2015/ List of Members
43-51 廣告 Advertisements
Back Cover 贊助機構 Sponsors
3 會長報告 President’s Report 2015-2016
4-7 賀辭 Congratulatory Messages
8 財務報告 Finance Report
9 收支報告 Income & Expenditure
10 核數師報告 Auditor's Report
11-12 學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
13-18 活動花絮 Activities Photo Gallery
19 架構表 The Organizations Structure
20 理事 2016-2017 Office Bearers
21 執行委員 2016-2017 Council Members
22-37 技術文章 Technical Paper
38-45 捐贈 / 會員統計 / 會員名單 Donation 2015 ~ 2016/ Membership Statistics 2011 ~ 2015/ List of Members
43-51 廣告 Advertisements
Back Cover 贊助機構 Sponsors
目錄Contents
Secretariat Office :
Unit 1409, 14/F.,
King's Commercial Building,
2-4 Chatham Court,
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon.
Tel : 2815 7030
Fax : 2575 1261
E-mail : [email protected]
Website : www.hkicw.org
編務緊迫 如有錯漏及
未盡善之處 祈望包涵
Designed & Printed byProfessional Publications Co.Tel : (852) 2581 9028
P5P4
4 | 5
賀辭Congratulatory Message
Date Institution events and CPD activities
P5P4
4 | 5
賀辭Congratulatory Message
Date Institution events and CPD activities
P7P6
6 | 7
賀辭Congratulatory Message
28th December 2016Mr. Charles ChangPresidentHong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works
Dear Charles,
It is my great pleasure to congratulate the Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works on its 21st Anniversary.
The Institute has made many achievements in promoting professionalism in the supervision and administration of construction site works in the past years. Its examination system and CPD activities has contributed to the progress of the construction industry in Hong Kong.
With the impending land development and infrastructure programmes in Hong Kong and beyond, there is increasing scope and importance for the HKICW to contribute to the maintenance of the highest standard and best practice in all aspects of site supervision.
I wish the Institute and its members continued success in the many years to come.
Yours sincerely,
(Ir Dr Choi Yu Leuk)Fellow and Immediate Past President ofHong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences
P7P6
6 | 7
賀辭Congratulatory Message
28th December 2016Mr. Charles ChangPresidentHong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works
Dear Charles,
It is my great pleasure to congratulate the Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works on its 21st Anniversary.
The Institute has made many achievements in promoting professionalism in the supervision and administration of construction site works in the past years. Its examination system and CPD activities has contributed to the progress of the construction industry in Hong Kong.
With the impending land development and infrastructure programmes in Hong Kong and beyond, there is increasing scope and importance for the HKICW to contribute to the maintenance of the highest standard and best practice in all aspects of site supervision.
I wish the Institute and its members continued success in the many years to come.
Yours sincerely,
(Ir Dr Choi Yu Leuk)Fellow and Immediate Past President ofHong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences
P9P8
8 | 9
財務報 告Finance Report
收支報告Income & Expenditure
Finance Report for the years 2015-2016
Dear Members,
I am pleased to present herewith the audited account of The Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works (HKICW) for the
financial year 2015-2016. The incorporated with the Annual Report and their format complies with the requirements of
the Company Ordinance in Hong Kong. The Profit and Loss Account and Auditor's Report are attached separately for
reference. The total revenue of the HKICW for the year was HK$598,661.
On the expenditure side, the total operating and administrative expenses for the year was HK$465,096, which was
approximately 34% or HK$156,409 more than the expenditure in 2014-2015. The 20th anniversary was grander scale of
AGM events and publications etc. Relatively, the increase in annual membership quantities in 2015-2016, growth of new
membership subscriptions and contributions from activities such as annual conference and annual dinner have
attributed to the revenue increase for the year. While we appreciate the continuous growth of the Institute, we are at the
same time adopting a stringent control on the operation and administrative expenses. There was an increase of revenue
by more than 48%, which demonstrated the importance of the Institute’s prudent financial management. We shall
continue to observe the prevailing practices/guidelines with respect to financial controls on all expenditures to ensure
that resources are spent for the interests of the Institute.
It is my honour to have served the Institute, which enjoyed a very fruitful year in 2016. I would like to thank all members
of the HKICW Executive and Finance Committee, and the Secretariat for their patience and unfailing support. Lastly, I
would like to thank Ms. Sara Li for her hard work in keeping the Institute’s accounts in good order.
Wai Hung Clement, Yeung
Honorary Treasurer
HKICW 2015-2016
Source of Fund (2015-2016)
Use of Fund (2015-2016)
P9P8
8 | 9
財務報告Finance Report
收支報告Income & Expenditure
Finance Report for the years 2015-2016
Dear Members,
I am pleased to present herewith the audited account of The Hong Kong Institute of Clerks of Works (HKICW) for the
financial year 2015-2016. The incorporated with the Annual Report and their format complies with the requirements of
the Company Ordinance in Hong Kong. The Profit and Loss Account and Auditor's Report are attached separately for
reference. The total revenue of the HKICW for the year was HK$598,661.
On the expenditure side, the total operating and administrative expenses for the year was HK$465,096, which was
approximately 34% or HK$156,409 more than the expenditure in 2014-2015. The 20th anniversary was grander scale of
AGM events and publications etc. Relatively, the increase in annual membership quantities in 2015-2016, growth of new
membership subscriptions and contributions from activities such as annual conference and annual dinner have
attributed to the revenue increase for the year. While we appreciate the continuous growth of the Institute, we are at the
same time adopting a stringent control on the operation and administrative expenses. There was an increase of revenue
by more than 48%, which demonstrated the importance of the Institute’s prudent financial management. We shall
continue to observe the prevailing practices/guidelines with respect to financial controls on all expenditures to ensure
that resources are spent for the interests of the Institute.
It is my honour to have served the Institute, which enjoyed a very fruitful year in 2016. I would like to thank all members
of the HKICW Executive and Finance Committee, and the Secretariat for their patience and unfailing support. Lastly, I
would like to thank Ms. Sara Li for her hard work in keeping the Institute’s accounts in good order.
Wai Hung Clement, Yeung
Honorary Treasurer
HKICW 2015-2016
Source of Fund (2015-2016)
Use of Fund (2015-2016)
P11P10
10 | 11
核數 師報告Auditor’s Report
08-Jan HKICW Annual Dinner 2016 cum 20th Anniversary Celebration CPD ~ Innovative Breakthrough and Solutions to Insulation Requirements of Fire Shutters
13-Jan CPD Seminar ~ To be or not to be - From Land and Engineering Surveying to BIM
15-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Modern Technology in NDT for Building Inspection
29-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Contract Law & How to Resolve Contractual Disputes
13-Feb SRDI Spring Gathering
17-Feb HKDPA ~ Spring Dinner cum MOU Signing Ceremony
27-Feb Maintenance Syposium for Kowloon City District
11-Mar RICS annual dinner cum Awards Hong Kong Presentation Ceremony 2016
15-Mar HKGBCA Spring Dinner 2016
16-Mar CPD Seminar ~ A brief review of the evolution of construction technology and practices of Hong Kong from 1950s up till present
19-Mar University of Central Lancashire and HKCT Awards Ceremony 2016
02-Apr CPD Technical Visit at Zhu Hai Helicopter Hanger
12-Apr Premiere of " ICAC Investigators 2016 "
16-Apr HKISA annual dinner
16-Apr Technical Visit ~ 佛山市不銹鋼門工廠考察團
16 & 22 Apr Buildings Department ~ Building safety Week 2016
22-Apr IOSH Hong Kong Annual Safety Conference 2016 & annual dinner
23-Apr ICWCI HK ~ Annual Dinner
04-May Build4Asia 2016 supporting organisation
05-May CPD Seminar ~ Geo-spatial 3D Modeling for Smart City
10-May CPD Seminar ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
12-May Luncheon meeting for networking among CASA, HKICW, ISE and ICWCI HK
21-May CPD Seminar by ICAC ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
25-May IOSH Hong Kong ~ Executive Networking Reception
27-May HKLPPA annual dinner 2016
31-May Meeting with Key Officials of AIB Headquarters and visit to HKICW Secretariat Office
31-May Dashun Foundation ~ 5th Anniversary Cocktail Reception cum Establishment of Belt & Road Global Development Alliance
01-Jun CPD Seminar ~ Health & Safety – How to deal with Industrial Summons
05-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 龍舟點睛
07-Jun Association of Engineering Professionals in Society ~ YES : CPD Seminar ~ Legal seminar
09-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 角逐龍舟比賽: (船名 ~ 中港和諧號)
25-Jun CPD Technical Visit ~ Site Safety Talk with Visit of Qianhai, Shenzhen, PRC, PRC and Hong Kong Management Staff in the Workplace to Real Problems and Taboos
28-Jun CPD Technical Talk ~ Condition Survey for Builder's Work and Electrical Installation
06-Jul Review of recent construction challenges - complicated building & civil projects, the HK cases
06-Jul Lo Pan Patron's Dinner cum Signing Ceremony of MOU (CASA / HKICW / ISE / ICWCI / HKIOE)
08-Jul CIC Lo Pan Patron's Day cum Annual Dinner 2016
09-Jul HKIIE AGM dining night
11-Jul Causal dinner networking among HKICW & AIB at KGBC
29-Jul 香港環境師學會珠海分會成禮慶祝典禮
06-Aug Technical Visit to the High Angle Rescuing Operation
16-Aug Promotion Visit & Talk of HKICW at Macau University of Science and Technology
22-Aug Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association Ltd ~ Annual Dinner cum 16th anniversary
24-Aug CPD Seminar ~ The latest Mobile Technology Innovation for Quality Assurance, Safety and Inspections
31-Aug Common Musculoskeletal Disorder in Construction Field and Medical Claim Process
01-Sep Hong Kong Institute of Highways Transportation ~ Annual Dinner
02-Sep Joint luncheon meeting with URA
20-Sep 香港科技界 慶祝國慶聚餐晚會
20-Sep CPD Seminar ~ UAV, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for building projects
26-Sep Promotion talk at SRDI ~ 與時並進的工程監督
27-Sep Safety CPD Seminar ~ Special Site Reality for Construction Works and How it Related to Safety
04-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Challenge of High Angle Rescuing Operation in Hong Kong
12-Oct CABE HK ~ Annual Dinner
22-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Innovation and Safety Solutions for Better Construction and Building
25-Oct CPD Seminar ~ 4 hours Fire Rated Period Shutter
27-Oct Association of Engineering Professionals in Society Ltd ~ Annual Dinner
28-Oct CPD Seminar ~ IMT Segment Casting Yard and Construction Under MTR Shatin to Central Link
30-Oct CIC ~ Construction Industry Sports Day cum Charity Fun Day
01-Nov CPD Seminar ~ What is the AUGREEN Block Wall System
02-Nov URA ~ Brainstorming Session
05-Nov 水喉業專業發展交流會 at THEi
17-Nov RMWCSA ~ Annual Dinner
29-Nov GCIPM ~ Annual Dinner 2016
29-Nov SAHK ~ 24th Anniversary Dinner
01-Dec The Lighthouse Club HK ~ Contractors' Dinner and Safety Awards
02-Dec CIC Graduation Ceremony ~ presentation of HKICW Scholarship
08-Dec CIPHE (Hong Kong Branch) ~ Annual Dinner cum 28th anniversary
09-Dec Re-appointment of Course Consultant of HKCT & HKCT 60th Anniversary Launch Ceremony curn Annual Luncheon 2016
09-Dec CIAT Hong Kong Centre ~ Annual Dinner 2016
學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
Date Institution events and CPD activities
P11P10
10 | 11
核數師報告Auditor’s Report
08-Jan HKICW Annual Dinner 2016 cum 20th Anniversary Celebration CPD ~ Innovative Breakthrough and Solutions to Insulation Requirements of Fire Shutters
13-Jan CPD Seminar ~ To be or not to be - From Land and Engineering Surveying to BIM
15-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Modern Technology in NDT for Building Inspection
29-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Contract Law & How to Resolve Contractual Disputes
13-Feb SRDI Spring Gathering
17-Feb HKDPA ~ Spring Dinner cum MOU Signing Ceremony
27-Feb Maintenance Syposium for Kowloon City District
11-Mar RICS annual dinner cum Awards Hong Kong Presentation Ceremony 2016
15-Mar HKGBCA Spring Dinner 2016
16-Mar CPD Seminar ~ A brief review of the evolution of construction technology and practices of Hong Kong from 1950s up till present
19-Mar University of Central Lancashire and HKCT Awards Ceremony 2016
02-Apr CPD Technical Visit at Zhu Hai Helicopter Hanger
12-Apr Premiere of " ICAC Investigators 2016 "
16-Apr HKISA annual dinner
16-Apr Technical Visit ~ 佛山市不銹鋼門工廠考察團
16 & 22 Apr Buildings Department ~ Building safety Week 2016
22-Apr IOSH Hong Kong Annual Safety Conference 2016 & annual dinner
23-Apr ICWCI HK ~ Annual Dinner
04-May Build4Asia 2016 supporting organisation
05-May CPD Seminar ~ Geo-spatial 3D Modeling for Smart City
10-May CPD Seminar ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
12-May Luncheon meeting for networking among CASA, HKICW, ISE and ICWCI HK
21-May CPD Seminar by ICAC ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
25-May IOSH Hong Kong ~ Executive Networking Reception
27-May HKLPPA annual dinner 2016
31-May Meeting with Key Officials of AIB Headquarters and visit to HKICW Secretariat Office
31-May Dashun Foundation ~ 5th Anniversary Cocktail Reception cum Establishment of Belt & Road Global Development Alliance
01-Jun CPD Seminar ~ Health & Safety – How to deal with Industrial Summons
05-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 龍舟點睛
07-Jun Association of Engineering Professionals in Society ~ YES : CPD Seminar ~ Legal seminar
09-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 角逐龍舟比賽: (船名 ~ 中港和諧號)
25-Jun CPD Technical Visit ~ Site Safety Talk with Visit of Qianhai, Shenzhen, PRC, PRC and Hong Kong Management Staff in the Workplace to Real Problems and Taboos
28-Jun CPD Technical Talk ~ Condition Survey for Builder's Work and Electrical Installation
06-Jul Review of recent construction challenges - complicated building & civil projects, the HK cases
06-Jul Lo Pan Patron's Dinner cum Signing Ceremony of MOU (CASA / HKICW / ISE / ICWCI / HKIOE)
08-Jul CIC Lo Pan Patron's Day cum Annual Dinner 2016
09-Jul HKIIE AGM dining night
11-Jul Causal dinner networking among HKICW & AIB at KGBC
29-Jul 香港環境師學會珠海分會成禮慶祝典禮
06-Aug Technical Visit to the High Angle Rescuing Operation
16-Aug Promotion Visit & Talk of HKICW at Macau University of Science and Technology
22-Aug Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association Ltd ~ Annual Dinner cum 16th anniversary
24-Aug CPD Seminar ~ The latest Mobile Technology Innovation for Quality Assurance, Safety and Inspections
31-Aug Common Musculoskeletal Disorder in Construction Field and Medical Claim Process
01-Sep Hong Kong Institute of Highways Transportation ~ Annual Dinner
02-Sep Joint luncheon meeting with URA
20-Sep 香港科技界 慶祝國慶聚餐晚會
20-Sep CPD Seminar ~ UAV, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for building projects
26-Sep Promotion talk at SRDI ~ 與時並進的工程監督
27-Sep Safety CPD Seminar ~ Special Site Reality for Construction Works and How it Related to Safety
04-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Challenge of High Angle Rescuing Operation in Hong Kong
12-Oct CABE HK ~ Annual Dinner
22-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Innovation and Safety Solutions for Better Construction and Building
25-Oct CPD Seminar ~ 4 hours Fire Rated Period Shutter
27-Oct Association of Engineering Professionals in Society Ltd ~ Annual Dinner
28-Oct CPD Seminar ~ IMT Segment Casting Yard and Construction Under MTR Shatin to Central Link
30-Oct CIC ~ Construction Industry Sports Day cum Charity Fun Day
01-Nov CPD Seminar ~ What is the AUGREEN Block Wall System
02-Nov URA ~ Brainstorming Session
05-Nov 水喉業專業發展交流會 at THEi
17-Nov RMWCSA ~ Annual Dinner
29-Nov GCIPM ~ Annual Dinner 2016
29-Nov SAHK ~ 24th Anniversary Dinner
01-Dec The Lighthouse Club HK ~ Contractors' Dinner and Safety Awards
02-Dec CIC Graduation Ceremony ~ presentation of HKICW Scholarship
08-Dec CIPHE (Hong Kong Branch) ~ Annual Dinner cum 28th anniversary
09-Dec Re-appointment of Course Consultant of HKCT & HKCT 60th Anniversary Launch Ceremony curn Annual Luncheon 2016
09-Dec CIAT Hong Kong Centre ~ Annual Dinner 2016
學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
Date Institution events and CPD activities
P13P12
12 | 13
08-Jan HKICW Annual Dinner 2016 cum 20th Anniversary Celebration CPD ~ Innovative Breakthrough and Solutions to Insulation Requirements of Fire Shutters
13-Jan CPD Seminar ~ To be or not to be - From Land and Engineering Surveying to BIM
15-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Modern Technology in NDT for Building Inspection
29-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Contract Law & How to Resolve Contractual Disputes
13-Feb SRDI Spring Gathering
17-Feb HKDPA ~ Spring Dinner cum MOU Signing Ceremony
27-Feb Maintenance Syposium for Kowloon City District
11-Mar RICS annual dinner cum Awards Hong Kong Presentation Ceremony 2016
15-Mar HKGBCA Spring Dinner 2016
16-Mar CPD Seminar ~ A brief review of the evolution of construction technology and practices of Hong Kong from 1950s up till present
19-Mar University of Central Lancashire and HKCT Awards Ceremony 2016
02-Apr CPD Technical Visit at Zhu Hai Helicopter Hanger
12-Apr Premiere of " ICAC Investigators 2016 "
16-Apr HKISA annual dinner
16-Apr Technical Visit ~ 佛山市不銹鋼門工廠考察團
16 & 22 Apr Buildings Department ~ Building safety Week 2016
22-Apr IOSH Hong Kong Annual Safety Conference 2016 & annual dinner
23-Apr ICWCI HK ~ Annual Dinner
04-May Build4Asia 2016 supporting organisation
05-May CPD Seminar ~ Geo-spatial 3D Modeling for Smart City
10-May CPD Seminar ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
12-May Luncheon meeting for networking among CASA, HKICW, ISE and ICWCI HK
21-May CPD Seminar by ICAC ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
25-May IOSH Hong Kong ~ Executive Networking Reception
27-May HKLPPA annual dinner 2016
31-May Meeting with Key Officials of AIB Headquarters and visit to HKICW Secretariat Office
31-May Dashun Foundation ~ 5th Anniversary Cocktail Reception cum Establishment of Belt & Road Global Development Alliance
01-Jun CPD Seminar ~ Health & Safety – How to deal with Industrial Summons
05-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 龍舟點睛
07-Jun Association of Engineering Professionals in Society ~ YES : CPD Seminar ~ Legal seminar
09-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 角逐龍舟比賽: (船名 ~ 中港和諧號)
25-Jun CPD Technical Visit ~ Site Safety Talk with Visit of Qianhai, Shenzhen, PRC, PRC and Hong Kong Management Staff in the Workplace to Real Problems and Taboos
28-Jun CPD Technical Talk ~ Condition Survey for Builder's Work and Electrical Installation
06-Jul Review of recent construction challenges - complicated building & civil projects, the HK cases
06-Jul Lo Pan Patron's Dinner cum Signing Ceremony of MOU (CASA / HKICW / ISE / ICWCI / HKIOE)
08-Jul CIC Lo Pan Patron's Day cum Annual Dinner 2016
09-Jul HKIIE AGM dining night
11-Jul Causal dinner networking among HKICW & AIB at KGBC
29-Jul 香港環境師學會珠海分會成禮慶祝典禮
06-Aug Technical Visit to the High Angle Rescuing Operation
16-Aug Promotion Visit & Talk of HKICW at Macau University of Science and Technology
22-Aug Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association Ltd ~ Annual Dinner cum 16th anniversary
24-Aug CPD Seminar ~ The latest Mobile Technology Innovation for Quality Assurance, Safety and Inspections
31-Aug Common Musculoskeletal Disorder in Construction Field and Medical Claim Process
01-Sep Hong Kong Institute of Highways Transportation ~ Annual Dinner
02-Sep Joint luncheon meeting with URA
20-Sep 香港科技界 慶祝國慶聚餐晚會
20-Sep CPD Seminar ~ UAV, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for building projects
26-Sep Promotion talk at SRDI ~ 與時並進的工程監督
27-Sep Safety CPD Seminar ~ Special Site Reality for Construction Works and How it Related to Safety
04-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Challenge of High Angle Rescuing Operation in Hong Kong
12-Oct CABE HK ~ Annual Dinner
22-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Innovation and Safety Solutions for Better Construction and Building
25-Oct CPD Seminar ~ 4 hours Fire Rated Period Shutter
27-Oct Association of Engineering Professionals in Society Ltd ~ Annual Dinner
28-Oct CPD Seminar ~ IMT Segment Casting Yard and Construction Under MTR Shatin to Central Link
30-Oct CIC ~ Construction Industry Sports Day cum Charity Fun Day
01-Nov CPD Seminar ~ What is the AUGREEN Block Wall System
02-Nov URA ~ Brainstorming Session
05-Nov 水喉業專業發展交流會 at THEi
17-Nov RMWCSA ~ Annual Dinner
29-Nov GCIPM ~ Annual Dinner 2016
29-Nov SAHK ~ 24th Anniversary Dinner
01-Dec The Lighthouse Club HK ~ Contractors' Dinner and Safety Awards
02-Dec CIC Graduation Ceremony ~ presentation of HKICW Scholarship
08-Dec CIPHE (Hong Kong Branch) ~ Annual Dinner cum 28th anniversary
09-Dec Re-appointment of Course Consultant of HKCT & HKCT 60th Anniversary Launch Ceremony curn Annual Luncheon 2016
09-Dec CIAT Hong Kong Centre ~ Annual Dinner 2016
學會 活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
活動圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
Date Institution events and CPD activities
09 December09 December
08 December08 December
02 December02 December 01 December01 December
09 December09 December
P13P12
12 | 13
08-Jan HKICW Annual Dinner 2016 cum 20th Anniversary Celebration CPD ~ Innovative Breakthrough and Solutions to Insulation Requirements of Fire Shutters
13-Jan CPD Seminar ~ To be or not to be - From Land and Engineering Surveying to BIM
15-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Modern Technology in NDT for Building Inspection
29-Jan CPD Seminar ~ Contract Law & How to Resolve Contractual Disputes
13-Feb SRDI Spring Gathering
17-Feb HKDPA ~ Spring Dinner cum MOU Signing Ceremony
27-Feb Maintenance Syposium for Kowloon City District
11-Mar RICS annual dinner cum Awards Hong Kong Presentation Ceremony 2016
15-Mar HKGBCA Spring Dinner 2016
16-Mar CPD Seminar ~ A brief review of the evolution of construction technology and practices of Hong Kong from 1950s up till present
19-Mar University of Central Lancashire and HKCT Awards Ceremony 2016
02-Apr CPD Technical Visit at Zhu Hai Helicopter Hanger
12-Apr Premiere of " ICAC Investigators 2016 "
16-Apr HKISA annual dinner
16-Apr Technical Visit ~ 佛山市不銹鋼門工廠考察團
16 & 22 Apr Buildings Department ~ Building safety Week 2016
22-Apr IOSH Hong Kong Annual Safety Conference 2016 & annual dinner
23-Apr ICWCI HK ~ Annual Dinner
04-May Build4Asia 2016 supporting organisation
05-May CPD Seminar ~ Geo-spatial 3D Modeling for Smart City
10-May CPD Seminar ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
12-May Luncheon meeting for networking among CASA, HKICW, ISE and ICWCI HK
21-May CPD Seminar by ICAC ~ Corruption risks and professional ethics in the construction industry
25-May IOSH Hong Kong ~ Executive Networking Reception
27-May HKLPPA annual dinner 2016
31-May Meeting with Key Officials of AIB Headquarters and visit to HKICW Secretariat Office
31-May Dashun Foundation ~ 5th Anniversary Cocktail Reception cum Establishment of Belt & Road Global Development Alliance
01-Jun CPD Seminar ~ Health & Safety – How to deal with Industrial Summons
05-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 龍舟點睛
07-Jun Association of Engineering Professionals in Society ~ YES : CPD Seminar ~ Legal seminar
09-Jun 大埔區 (龍舟競賽 2016) ~ 角逐龍舟比賽: (船名 ~ 中港和諧號)
25-Jun CPD Technical Visit ~ Site Safety Talk with Visit of Qianhai, Shenzhen, PRC, PRC and Hong Kong Management Staff in the Workplace to Real Problems and Taboos
28-Jun CPD Technical Talk ~ Condition Survey for Builder's Work and Electrical Installation
06-Jul Review of recent construction challenges - complicated building & civil projects, the HK cases
06-Jul Lo Pan Patron's Dinner cum Signing Ceremony of MOU (CASA / HKICW / ISE / ICWCI / HKIOE)
08-Jul CIC Lo Pan Patron's Day cum Annual Dinner 2016
09-Jul HKIIE AGM dining night
11-Jul Causal dinner networking among HKICW & AIB at KGBC
29-Jul 香港環境師學會珠海分會成禮慶祝典禮
06-Aug Technical Visit to the High Angle Rescuing Operation
16-Aug Promotion Visit & Talk of HKICW at Macau University of Science and Technology
22-Aug Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association Ltd ~ Annual Dinner cum 16th anniversary
24-Aug CPD Seminar ~ The latest Mobile Technology Innovation for Quality Assurance, Safety and Inspections
31-Aug Common Musculoskeletal Disorder in Construction Field and Medical Claim Process
01-Sep Hong Kong Institute of Highways Transportation ~ Annual Dinner
02-Sep Joint luncheon meeting with URA
20-Sep 香港科技界 慶祝國慶聚餐晚會
20-Sep CPD Seminar ~ UAV, Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for building projects
26-Sep Promotion talk at SRDI ~ 與時並進的工程監督
27-Sep Safety CPD Seminar ~ Special Site Reality for Construction Works and How it Related to Safety
04-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Challenge of High Angle Rescuing Operation in Hong Kong
12-Oct CABE HK ~ Annual Dinner
22-Oct CPD Seminar ~ Innovation and Safety Solutions for Better Construction and Building
25-Oct CPD Seminar ~ 4 hours Fire Rated Period Shutter
27-Oct Association of Engineering Professionals in Society Ltd ~ Annual Dinner
28-Oct CPD Seminar ~ IMT Segment Casting Yard and Construction Under MTR Shatin to Central Link
30-Oct CIC ~ Construction Industry Sports Day cum Charity Fun Day
01-Nov CPD Seminar ~ What is the AUGREEN Block Wall System
02-Nov URA ~ Brainstorming Session
05-Nov 水喉業專業發展交流會 at THEi
17-Nov RMWCSA ~ Annual Dinner
29-Nov GCIPM ~ Annual Dinner 2016
29-Nov SAHK ~ 24th Anniversary Dinner
01-Dec The Lighthouse Club HK ~ Contractors' Dinner and Safety Awards
02-Dec CIC Graduation Ceremony ~ presentation of HKICW Scholarship
08-Dec CIPHE (Hong Kong Branch) ~ Annual Dinner cum 28th anniversary
09-Dec Re-appointment of Course Consultant of HKCT & HKCT 60th Anniversary Launch Ceremony curn Annual Luncheon 2016
09-Dec CIAT Hong Kong Centre ~ Annual Dinner 2016
學會活動 Institutional Events & Activities 2016
活動圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
Date Institution events and CPD activities
09 December09 December
08 December08 December
02 December02 December 01 December01 December
09 December09 December
P15P14
14 | 15
活動 圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
29 November29 November29 November29 November
17 November17 November 05 November05 November
02 November02 November 30 October30 October 28 October28 October
27 October27 October 12 October12 October
11 October11 October 04 October04 October
26 September26 September 20 September20 September
01 September01 September 24 August24 August
16 August16 August
P15P14
14 | 15
活動圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
29 November29 November29 November29 November
17 November17 November 05 November05 November
02 November02 November 30 October30 October 28 October28 October
27 October27 October 12 October12 October
11 October11 October 04 October04 October
26 September26 September 20 September20 September
01 September01 September 24 August24 August
16 August16 August
P17P16
16 | 17
活動 圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
11 July11 July
28 June28 June 25 June25 June
05 June05 June 01 June01 June
09 July09 July
08 July08 July 07 July07 July
06 July06 July
31 May31 May
24 April24 April 22 April22 April
22 April22 April16 April16 April
31 May31 May
27 May27 May 25 May25 May
21 May21 May 04 May04 May
P17P16
16 | 17
活動圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
11 July11 July
28 June28 June 25 June25 June
05 June05 June 01 June01 June
09 July09 July
08 July08 July 07 July07 July
06 July06 July
31 May31 May
24 April24 April 22 April22 April
22 April22 April16 April16 April
31 May31 May
27 May27 May 25 May25 May
21 May21 May 04 May04 May
P19P18
18 | 19
The Hong Kong Institute Of Clerks of WorksOrganisation Chart of the Council (Session 2016–2017)
Honorary Legal Advisors&
Honorary Auditor
Hon. Legal Advisor Mr. Eric Ching Ming Yu
Mr. Simon LamMs. Fanny Mak
Hon. AuditorMr. Charles Wong
Past Presidents
Past PresidentChristopher C.L. Wong
Rick C.W. LiuJacky M. C. Wan
Immediate Past PresidentNg Hung Fat
Advisory Board
Ng Hung Fat(Chairman)
Jason ShinThomas T.L. Hui
Rick C. W. LiuMichael Y. C. Cheung
Li Tak Hong, Dick
Academic AdvisorIr Chan Chi Ming
I.T. AdvisorMr. Wilton Kwok
Honorary AdvisorsIr David Howe
Dr. Wilson W.K. Kwong,Professor Rowson K.H. Lee
Mr. Andy LoIr Yip Luen Tak
EducationalCommittee
Hui Kin Chung, Alex(Senior Committee
Officer)
Wong Lai Yee, PheonnaHung Po Lung, Ken
Tam Kam Hung, FrankCheung Ho Yin
Development &Events Committee
Lam Kong Ngan, Kenny(Senior Committee
Officer)
Eric KwokTony Lee Kam SingHui Kin Chung, Alex
Cheung Ho Yin
Editor of Journal
Thomas T.L. Hui
Honorary Secretary
Kung Hung Kwong
Honorary Treasurer
Clement W.H. Yeung
President
Charles C. T. Chang
Secretariat Office
Sara Li
Public Relations Officer
Rick C. W. Li
Vice PresidentExternal Affairs
Tony T.H. Fok
Vice PresidentInternal Affairs
Victory T.W. Chan
Membership & Practice Committee
Ng Wai Hung, Henry(Senior Committee
Officer)
Tam Kam Hung, FrankHung Po Lung, Ken
Kwok Chun Keung, SamuelLam Kong Ngan, Kenny
Lee Kam Sing, TonyNg Hung Fat
Editorial Committee
Kwok Chit Chun, Teddy&
Wong Lai Yee, Pheonna(Committee Officers)
Eric KwokTam Kam Hung, Frank
Hui Kin Chung, AlexLam Kong Ngan, Kenny
Examination Board
Samuel C. K. Kwok(Chairman)
Eric Kwok (Hon Sec Exam.)
Tony K.S. Lee(Hon Sec Assistant)
Exam Board MemberC.W. LiuH.F. Ng
Y.C. CheungT.L. Hui
P.L. HungT.H. Li
H.K. KungT.H. Fok
H.Y. CheungS.M. Lee
Y.T. CheungT.S. Shin
W.H. Yeung
架構表The Organization Structure
活動 圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
19 March19 March
27 February27 February
17 February17 February 13 February13 February
08 January08 January
15 March15 March 11 March11 March
12 April12 April 02 April02 April
P19P18
18 | 19
The Hong Kong Institute Of Clerks of WorksOrganisation Chart of the Council (Session 2016–2017)
Honorary Legal Advisors&
Honorary Auditor
Hon. Legal Advisor Mr. Eric Ching Ming Yu
Mr. Simon LamMs. Fanny Mak
Hon. AuditorMr. Charles Wong
Past Presidents
Past PresidentChristopher C.L. Wong
Rick C.W. LiuJacky M. C. Wan
Immediate Past PresidentNg Hung Fat
Advisory Board
Ng Hung Fat(Chairman)
Jason ShinThomas T.L. Hui
Rick C. W. LiuMichael Y. C. Cheung
Li Tak Hong, Dick
Academic AdvisorIr Chan Chi Ming
I.T. AdvisorMr. Wilton Kwok
Honorary AdvisorsIr David Howe
Dr. Wilson W.K. Kwong,Professor Rowson K.H. Lee
Mr. Andy LoIr Yip Luen Tak
EducationalCommittee
Hui Kin Chung, Alex(Senior Committee
Officer)
Wong Lai Yee, PheonnaHung Po Lung, Ken
Tam Kam Hung, FrankCheung Ho Yin
Development &Events Committee
Lam Kong Ngan, Kenny(Senior Committee
Officer)
Eric KwokTony Lee Kam SingHui Kin Chung, Alex
Cheung Ho Yin
Editor of Journal
Thomas T.L. Hui
Honorary Secretary
Kung Hung Kwong
Honorary Treasurer
Clement W.H. Yeung
President
Charles C. T. Chang
Secretariat Office
Sara Li
Public Relations Officer
Rick C. W. Liu
Vice PresidentExternal Affairs
Tony T.H. Fok
Vice PresidentInternal Affairs
Victory T.W. Chan
Membership & Practice Committee
Ng Wai Hung, Henry(Senior Committee
Officer)
Tam Kam Hung, FrankHung Po Lung, Ken
Kwok Chun Keung, SamuelLam Kong Ngan, Kenny
Lee Kam Sing, TonyNg Hung Fat
Editorial Committee
Kwok Chit Chun, Teddy&
Wong Lai Yee, Pheonna(Committee Officers)
Eric KwokTam Kam Hung, Frank
Hui Kin Chung, AlexLam Kong Ngan, Kenny
Examination Board
Samuel C. K. Kwok(Chairman)
Eric Kwok (Hon Sec Exam.)
Tony K.S. Lee(Hon Sec Assistant)
Exam Board MemberC.W. LiuH.F. Ng
Y.C. CheungT.L. Hui
P.L. HungT.H. Li
H.K. KungT.H. Fok
H.Y. CheungS.M. Lee
Y.T. CheungT.S. Shin
W.H. Yeung
架構表The Organization Structure
活動圖片 Activities Photo Gallery 2016
19 March19 March
27 February27 February
17 February17 February 13 February13 February
08 January08 January
15 March15 March 11 March11 March
12 April12 April 02 April02 April
P21P20
20 | 21
Civil projects started in those years in Hong Kong also posed a challenge as the old ways did not work anymore. The scale
and complexity of the projects were of course part of the issue. The difficulty to find space in the remaining buildable
locations within the territory was the main concern. In other word, it became a challenge to find room to build new
facilities to accommodate the needs of an ever growing community, whether it is a railway line, a highway, a
water-treatment plant or other public facilities. To make it possible to build these facilities, various kinds of relocations,
compensations and recovering work needed to be incorporated into the overall planning of the projects. And there was
no exception with the projects included in the 10 Major Infrastructure Projects launched in 2007 and many other related
on-going projects. The West Island Line, Express Rail Link, Shatin-Central Link, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Central Wanchai
Bypass, and the soon-to-come Central Kowloon Route and the new tunnel to Tseung Kwan O, are typical examples.
Take the Shatin-Central Link (SCL) project as an example for elaboration. The new railway line has at least two challenging
locations to tackle. One is the diversion of the route as it cuts across the busiest junction between Chatham Road and Hong
Chong Road, which is the main traffic entrance to the tolling plaza of the Cross Harbour Tunnel. It is also the interchange
for more than 8 lines of traffic and a servicing rail line. The other location is the approach tunnel section entering the new
harbour crossing tunnel of the SCL, where the existing tunnel tube for the Cross Harbour Tunnel is within less than 100m
from the new tunnel tube. The Hong Kong side faces a similar situation where the tunnel lands in Causeway Bay. The photo
below visually explains the situation.
Introduction Hong Kong’s construction industry was a traditional business dominated by Chinese-style family-run construction firms back in the 1950s. Overseas contractors entered the industry on a large scale in the mid-1970s, when Hong Kong started to construct the first MTR lines. Over the years, overseas contractors, backed by their expertise and adapting to the local market, has gradually become a strong work force in the construction industry in Hong Kong.
Construction technologies and practices have changed over the years as well. For instance, construction engineers of the younger generation may not be familiar with inches/feet or ounces/pounds, as the old measuring system was gradually replaced by the metric system using metres and kilograms. Hand-mixing of concrete is mostly replaced by ready-mix concrete based on precise mix design. The use of concrete hoist and labor-intensive method to place concrete can hardly be seen today. Concrete pump and tower crane are common equipment at most work sites. Traditional timber formwork is also replaced in most situations by system formwork. Precast and prefabricated construction is a common trend nowadays, not to mention the mega building structures and civil projects that are built deep underground or high above in super high-rise towers. The complexity of the working environment is more challenging than any layman can imagine. And these are only the beginning of ongoing changes as we advance in the new era of a cyber world.
This paper tries to give a brief review to what the Hong Kong construction industry has gone through in the past 50 years as we brace ourselves for a quantum jump that is awaiting the entire construction profession.
Family-based Construction Mode of the 1950s and 60sConstruction as a business was mainly run in the Chinese family-based manner during this early period. Nevertheless, contractors still needed to be registered under the Building Ordinance. Only a registered contractor could get into the business in spite of the company’s scale, experience or financial capacity.
The major partners of a contracting firm usually managed the company using personal network and handled all construction related operations through experience. For example, paper submissions required authorized signatures of a registered contractor, a job could be secured either with or without tendering, the contractor did the pricing, estimating and sub-letting, all alone. They also managed the whole project personally, starting from construction planning, carrying out all site works and supervision, resourcing management and controlling cost, handling all project coordination-related matters, controlling sub-contractors, taking care of payment and contract administration, if there was a formal contract, and finally, delivering the completed project and so forth. All these responsibilities would be taken care of by a small team of 3 or 4 persons, including the owner of the contracting firm himself depending on the scale of the job. Professional qualification was a remote concept for most of the contractors. Personal reputation and trade practices were the key guarantee factors for the success of a job.
In addition to local contractors, there were also some immigrant contractors from China (mainly Shanghai) who came to Hong Kong after 1949. Based on their experience and reputation established in the more internationalized city of Shanghai decades before, these contractors were undoubtedly in a better position and had better capability in handling construction projects during that period. They even set a standard for the development of the construction industry in Hong Kong.
The setting-up of the site was fairly free as there was lacking a strong mandatory or statutory framework to oversee site
operations. Other than a work consent to be submitted by the contractor who promised to abide by all necessary
regulations, other essential provisions, like the site layout setting, site access, fencing and hoarding or other safety set-ups,
were provided on a discretionary basis for the convenience of the contractors. The situation for government projects was
slightly better for the government still had some basic guidelines and practices to follow. Needless to mention, corruption
was fairly common among project-control executives at almost all levels.
Staffing criterion was lax. An experienced site agent or simply a general foreman who could read construction drawings
would be good enough to manage most of the projects. A building certificate was all that was needed in most cases to
handle a government job. Professional qualification was needed only for such posts that required statutory needs, like
the Authorized Person (usually the architect) that represented the clients, or the registered engineer for
engineering-related submissions. The government itself, on the other hand, had a strong professional team composed
of architects, engineers and surveyors in fulfilling the procurement and controls over all government projects. In a
limited way, Hong Kong followed the UK system in principle in administering the entire construction process.
Except for a few key personnel managing the project for the contractor, like the site agent, general foreman, leveler,
mechanic, site clerk etc., almost all site works were sub-let with workers under the control of the sub-contractors. These
sub-contractors were usually further divided into various trades, like the excavator, caisson worker, concreter, steel bender,
formworker, carpenter, plasterer, bricklayer, scaffolder, plumber, drain-layer… Except for the general laborers, all workers
were trained under a 3 to 4-year apprenticeship system. This effectively guaranteed that workers were competent in their
own trade of work after years of training.
Materials used in construction were traditional as well. Structural materials like cement, aggregate and reinforcing steel,
had their specific standard. There were seldom any problems except in some cheating cases where figures were fabricated
for illicit returns. For other materials like common bricks, metal works, timber or joinery products, or decorative materials,
quality could fluctuate, depending on budget specifications, sub-contractors used, workmanship performance,
inter-personal relationship and, sometimes, even the conscience of the work team and so forth.
Heavy equipment, like tower cranes, mobile cranes, excavating and rock breaking machines, heavy dumpers and lorries,
was rare in those years unless for very large scale projects. Diesel or electric driven concrete mixers were almost the only
equipment that could be found on site. Most of the jobs, such as transporting and placing of concrete even for
multi-storey buildings, or excavation and rock cutting, were carried out in a labor-intensive manner. Hand tools were the
most common and effective equipment used at construction sites. A simple hoisting rack powered by an electric winch
equipped with a lifting rod was considered a good set-up. To sum it simply, things were done in the old way.
The imperial scale, like ounces and
pounds, inches and feet, was used;
temperature was measured in
Fahrenheit. For people used to the
metric system, the imperial scale
might cause some inconvenience,
yet people in the industry in those
days were accustomed to using
manuals, scale rules or calculation
tables created with the imperial
scale, which did not cause any
trouble at all.
Property developments, mainly in the form of residential and commercial developments, were a big business mostly
carried out by private sectors during this period. Property developers with a clear profit-making objective were the
pushing hands behind the development.
During this period, especially in the 1970s, the construction industry underwent such rapid development that it went full
steam in various spheres of constructions, from the establishment of new towns of Shatin and Tuen Mun, to new
reclamation areas in Wanchai, Central and Mong Kok, and countless new projects both from the government and private
sectors. Contractors and consulting agents were in hot demand. Adding to that was the planning and construction of the
first mass transit railway lines during the 1970s-80s, followed by related real estate developments along these lines.
It bears remembering that there were only a few high-rise buildings constructed during the entire 1950s. In order to
construct affordable housing, most of the residential buildings were no more than 8 or 9 storeys at the tallest, for this could
be exempted from the requirement of providing an elevator. Office buildings had their own requirements but there were
not so many of them. In order to build in the most economical way, simple in-situ RC frames using columns and beams
with brick infilling for exterior and interior walls were the most popular form of construction.
In short, traditional construction technologies and practices of the 1960s can be characterized as labor intensive under
strong influence of informal human relationship. But even during this early period, Government, with its strong
professional team, played a key role in upholding a reasonable standard for government-related projects, which explains
the transition to a more systematic construction practice in the 70s and 80s when a great number of public and private
projects were kicked off in full scale hitting the coming climax of development.
Fast Development Years of the 1970s and 80s
In spite of the social-political riots of the 50s and 60s resulting from the political turmoil in mainland China, Hong Kong was
able to seize the opportunity to develop into a world manufacturing center based on the rapid development of its light
industry. Getting into the 70s, Hong Kong started to migrate from manufacturing to financial services. With the economic
boom and tremendous changes, there was an urgent need to provide effective urban facilities to substantiate the onward
development of Hong Kong. Out of these, investments into infrastructure were of the utmost importance.
Infrastructure development in Hong Kong included, in particular, transportation facilities ranging from highway and
railway networks; port and airport facilities; establishment of new towns or other land formation projects; public works,
including government facilities, medical, institutional and public housing; as well as other environmental and public
utility-related support structures. In all these projects, the Hong Kong government and her representatives, as well as other
civil and building contractors, were the main players.
The business environment for the construction industry also changed in the 1970s with the establishment of the ICAC
(Independent Commission Again Corruption) in 1974. The industry could not conduct their business or made easy money
in the same way as before. Instead, they had to abide by the rules of the game. However, there was still a huge potential for
growth. And the construction sector still enjoyed a lot of flexibility due to the complex structure of the industry. In this
respect, the administrative system in running the construction business was still relatively easy. Flaws could still be found
everywhere. That was reflected in such areas as effectiveness of project procurement which safeguarded all stack-holders,
quality of work output, cost control or contract administration matters and so forth.
In view of this, a major revision of the Building Ordinance was introduced in 1976 with the aim to avoid, prevent and
eliminate flaws in the construction industry. This was also regarded as one of the results of the achievement of the ICAC.
Besides, a significant portion of the revision was so made to enhance the quality of building design and to renew some of
the old architectural practices and technical standards inherited from before WW2. Some major changes were introduced,
aiming particularly to establish a tighter control on the building administration process and to eliminate all possibilities for
corruption. This was only the first wave to upgrade the performance of the construction industry. But it was not enough.
Though there was the uncertainty of the handing over of the sovereignty in the early part of 1980s, Hong Kong was still able
to undergo huge development due to the demand of more than 6 million local residents. Fulfilling their daily needs and
providing better housing for a population of this scale created opportunities for the construction sector, which were as busy
as before, even with the holdup of some long-term and mega-sized projects by the government and other investors.
The major projects that made the construction industry going as usual were general building works. By that period, a large
number of public and private housing estates were constructed to satisfy the needs of a steadily growing population. The
Oi Man Estate and many 2nd generation public estates all over the territory to replace early resettlement houses were
typical examples of the government inputs, while Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Whampoa Estate and Tai Koo Shing represented
major private residential developments.
The demand for housing was so great that the property market was skewed to be led by the developers. Home buyers
needed to queue up in long lines for a quota to buy a new flat. The result was: the quality of the building, either in design,
material and workmanship, was not a major concern for the developers. This was a simple supply and demand rule. The
government understood the situation, but no immediate actions were taken to rectify it. This situation lingered.
Later on, however, some actions were initiated to enhance the performance standard of the industry. Such initiatives
included the implementation of some quality/performance management systems like the ISO and the PASS (Performance
Assessment Scoring System). It took almost two decades for such concepts to sink in and become the common practice
which re-shaped the entire industry.
The Construction Boom in the 1990s
The cloud of uncertainty of Hong Kong’s future lifted a bit after the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration at the end
of 1984. The position of Hong Kong was further ensured after the announcement of the new airport projects in the early
1990s. By bringing-in the HK$180-billion airport projects, all local and overseas investors were encouraged to put in
capitals to buy for themselves a more prosperous future. The construction industry was booming with so many
infrastructure projects and various building projects that no one in the industry was sitting idle. This cooled down a bit with
the outbreak of the economic crisis that swept through Asia in 1998.
The construction scale was so huge and complex for the new air airport projects, the construction sectors were given more
than 5 years to complete all the projects. Overseas expertise could give certain help, such as in the construction of the
Tsing Ma Bridge, yet all the other projects, including the Western Harbour Crossing, the Airport Railway, the Terminal
Building and related facilities, were handled by local contractors and their associates in the form of joint venture
partnerships. Viewing from another angle, the construction of the new airport in fact was a practical knowledge transfer
process that provided valuable eye-sight and experience to the construction industry.
At the same time, the private sectors were also very active. Mega projects like the International Financial Centre, Cheung
Kong Center, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre were being built almost at the same time as the new
airport which was scheduled to be up and running in anticipation of the big day of handing over. The hot construction
wave during this decade might be regarded as a warm-up period for the forth-coming wave in development after the
millennium. As a result, the capacity of the local construction practitioners got expanded again after the 1990s.
Technologically speaking, the1990s might still be viewed as an old-tech era. Except the use of a few modern machines like
the hydraulic heavy jacking systems, launching gantries for highway construction, mechanical formwork system for super
high-rise towers, everything were done in a traditional way in principle. Other than that, concerns toward the use of
high-tech equipment in construction, safety, quality of work, protection of environment, welfare to human workers, were
still somewhat being ignored. The industry did not have real motivation to make substantial improvement in those areas.
In view of this, some initiatives were taken with a wish to change or enhance the ecology of the construction industry in
the coming decade, led by the government and some pro-active contractors who understood that the construction
industry would lag further behind world standards in the new era.
The government’s initiative has achieved at least toward one target: encouraging the use of more high-tech and
environmentally friendly technique in construction. That is the use of more precast elements in building works. Other than
the use of more precast elements to construct standard public houses like the Harmony or Concord blocks, the
government also launched a series of projects specifying the use of a higher percentage of precast elements in the
construction process. Typical examples included projects administered under the Architectural Services Department for
the new 2000 school design, government quarters and other facilities like government warehouse and offices.
Transformation Years in the 2000s
By the end of 1990s, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, appointed Mr. Henry Tang to set up a “Construction Industry
Review Committee” to conduct a review of the construction industry in Hong Kong. The objective of such a review was to
understand more thoroughly the background and weaknesses of the industry and come up with suggestions to improve
the overall performance of the industry in the long run. After a 2-year intensive investigation and studies, Mr Tang
submitted a review report in January 2001.
The following was quoted from the introduction of Mr Tang’s Executive Summary report:
“There are a number of shortcomings in the industry’s operations and in the quality of its products. Local construction
activities are labour-intensive, dangerous and polluting. Built products are seldom defect-free. Construction costs are
comparatively high. The industry is very fragmented and is beset with an adversarial culture. Many industry participants
adopt a short-term view on business development, with little interest in enhancing their long-term competitiveness. There
is a tendency to award contracts to the lowest bidders and delivery programmes are often unrealistically compressed.
Accountability is undermined by the prevalence of non-value adding multi-layered subcontracting and lax supervision. An
inadequately trained workforce also impairs the industry’s ability to adopt new technologies and to cope with new
challenges“.
I believe no one in the construction industry would object to the statements made by Mr Tang in the report.
The report suggested a series of targets to be achieved so as to restructure the industry in a holistic manner. This included
stipulating a vision for growth and development of the industry, fostering a quality culture, achieving distinctive value in
construction procurement, nurturing a professional workforce, as well as creating an efficient, innovative, productive, safer,
more environmentally friendly work environment. The report also came up with recommendations of an institutional
framework for implementing these targets in a workable future.
Based on these recommendations, the Building Department representing the government in most cases took the lead in
exercising such improvement plans through tighter control in construction, particularly in the contractor operation and
site work levels. Other organizations including all the concerning professional institutions, contractors and trade
associations, research and vocational institutions, or even the Construction Industry Council, were participating in this
transforming process.
There were a number of actions taken to actualize such initiatives. One representative action was the launching of the Site
Supervision Plan which made it mandatory by issuing a Technical Memorandum and Code of Practice under similar title.
These documents stipulated the responsibility of the project teams and related stakeholders, as well as detailing the ways
and practices to carry out site works as stipulated.
The other action was the formulation of a series of “Joint Practice Notes”, issued jointly by the Building Department, Lands
Department and Planning Department. The objective was to encourage the design and construction of buildings that
adopted a holistic life cycle approach, maximizing the use of renewable resources and green materials, minimizing the
consumption of energy and reducing construction waste. By doing so, certain bonus in the form of extra gross floor areas
was given to the developers as an encouragement for adopting these practices. Besides introducing more innovative
building designs to satisfy such criteria, using more precast elements was another way, an easy way as well, to get that
bonus. Finally, it triggered a hot wave in the use of precast constructions, which were used even for super high-rise
structures up to 60 to 70 storeys tall.
The 2000s was also a milestone era for railway and highway developments. A total of 6 railway lines were completed and
put into operation during the period. They were the West Rail, Tseung Kwan O Line, Ma On Shan Line, Disney Line, the
Kowloon Southern Link and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line. Highway projects including the improvement and widening of the
Castle Peak Road, completion of the Deep Bay Link and Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Corridor, Route 3, Route 5 and
Route 8, were representative of the infrastructure projects being completed during the 2000s.
In addition to providing work opportunities for the construction industry, these mega projects also produced a strong
rippling effect that heated up developments from the private sectors.
The outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003 was a major social event that affected the industry
deeply in the 2000s. As a result of the epidemic, the entire community and related economy were slowed down causing
serious economic impacts. People tried not to make physical contact with each other as far as possible to avoid possible
infection. This situation lasted almost 2 years. Many construction practitioners and workers were laid off due to lack of jobs
and many construction agencies closed down.
As one of the “rescue” actions to the economy, the government of Hong Kong successfully coordinated with the Central
Government of the Mainland and launched the “Individual Visit and Multiple-Entry Permit Scheme”, which allows visitors
from mainland China to enter Hong Kong mainly for tourism purposes. This scheme anticipated that thousands of visitors
would visit Hong Kong daily and their consumption would help the local economy. It worked finally and stimulated
investors to put in capitals in, say, constructing more hotels and shopping malls, upgrading existing tourist and commercial
facilities, as well as other associated hardware infrastructures. By the end of the 2000s, even the property market heated up.
Significant number of visitors, mainly from mainland China, came to Hong Kong and bought residential properties either
for their own use or just as a kind of investment. All this created a multiplying effect and the entire construction sector
benefited from that.
Meanwhile, after nearly 10 years of reform in the construction industry after the issuance of Mr Tang’s Review Report, many
stake-holders in the industry transformed themselves in order to meet the anticipated challenges. To a certain extent, the
construction industry performed substantially better than the previous decade.
The 10 Infrastructure Projects since 2010
In order to drive the economy forward as well as to substantiate the long-term development of Hong Kong, the then
Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang launched a new scheme known as the “10 Major Infrastructure Projects” in 2007. These
projects will draw in at least 30 billion dollars a year, spanning more than 10 years and covering 3 main core areas. They
include projects for the Transportation Infrastructure, Cross Boundary Infrastructure and New Urban Development.
The world-renowned projects, such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-HK Express Rail Link, Sha Tin Central Link and the
HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, are typical examples. Other projects of similar scale like the Central-Wanchai Bypass or
some highway improvement projects are not even counted in this category.
The majority of these infrastructure projects commenced in full-scale starting in 2010, except for a few that involved further
coordination and more detailed refining with the Mainland, like the Joint Development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Airport Co-operation projects.
Construction started in 2010 and continued up till mid-2015, with signs of a bit slowing down in early 2016 due to the
completion of some of the projects. During the peak years, the entire construction sector faced serious shortage of work
resources, including manpower at both site and managerial levels, materials, equipment and other logistic support.
Manpower shortage drove up related expenses. Cost for materials and other supporting services were also rising to an
uncontrollable level. Costs went up, efficiency dropped and construction was delayed, adversely affecting the projects.
Though this might not be a direct factor influencing the ecology of the construction industry since the new millennium,
to a certain extent it caused some disturbances to the entire Hong Kong community. What we are talking is the “Operation
Building Bright” scheme launched by the government in 2009. The objective of this scheme was to provide financial
motivation to owners living in older buildings to maintain and upgrade their properties. The original idea was good for the
entire society would be benefited from this initiative forming part of the urban upgrading and renewal process.
To make the scheme works it needed the support of contractors. However, contractors in a better business position did not
have much interest in this scheme because of the tedious nature of such upgrading jobs. On the other hand, it created a
good business opportunity for small and medium-size contractor firms. A few years into the scheme, a few contractors
who were focusing on this kind of projects almost dominated the market, sometimes by taking advantage of the grey
areas within the existing legal framework and controlled the cost of work in an unreasonable rate. This caused a lot of
complaints from the actual users who were owners of the properties. Very often they were abided by a contract and
needed to pay a much higher cost in upgrading their buildings.
At the same time, this also extracted quite a number of manpower in the work front which further upset the labor
shortages within the construction industry.
The other concern is about accountability, safety, quality, and environmental protection issues that formed a prioritized
work objective for all construction projects. With an ongoing request for addressing such concerns for more than 15 years,
the construction sector was well established for safeguarding these interests. Strict and professional plans were mapped
out for controlling all construction activities almost from the preliminary stage of a project. While this might not mean that
everything was perfect, it was unquestionable that international standards were upheld.
Higher standards often came with a price. With the enhancement of quality and the enforcement of other construction
“best-practices”, construction cost went up tremendously within a relatively short period of time. Figures from the tender
price index made by the Architectural Services Department indicated that the index went up about 3 times as compared
to 2005. Construction cost tripled in just 10 years. Of course, the factors for such a sharp cost increase could be multiple,
and yet it was something the construction industry in particular and the entire society at large had to face.
Technological evolutions in the construction industry
The changes in the past half century are not possible without the evolution of technologies, which can be divided into 3
major eras, the traditional era before 1980s, followed by the taking-off period up to the late 1990s and then the modern era
since 2000s.
In the first era, constructions in Hong Kong were dominated by traditional technology. Except for the use of some
mechanical equipment like tower cranes, hydraulic or pneumatic machines and other power hand tools, everything else
depended on manual labor, not much different from the construction practices of the pre-war period. It was a very
labor-intensive line of work.
During the taking-off period, super high-rise buildings were getting more popular. Office buildings using central
air-conditioning with a core shaft and encased by a curtain wall envelop were becoming almost a standard design. Projects
were getting larger and larger, covering hectares of land with clusters of towers forming an expansive estate driven by
developers who sought economies of scale. The construction industry was compelled to adopt a more efficient way to
build by improving its management and using more advanced technologies. Such demands became more acute in the
early1990s because of the new airport projects and other strategic developments in anticipation of the hand-over in 1997.
The majority of the new technologies in construction during that period, however, were used for civil works, even though
the tunneling techniques and technologies used in constructing a cable suspension bridge or building a new railway line
could hardly be considered advanced at the time from a global point of view. Not to mention other technology applied to
building construction.
Thanks to the government’s initiative in promoting the concept of sustainability development and the recommendations
from the Construction Industry Review Report, new construction technologies were introduced as we got into the new
millennium to synchronize with global demand for advancement.
Quite a number of changes are introduced since the stepping into the new millennium.
Many mega building projects, in terms of demand of capital, scale, design and technical challenges, were started, including
such mega structures like the International Commerce Centre (ICC), Asia World Expo, K11 development, Extension to the
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and many other modern super high-rise office towers. The construction of
these mega structures called for advanced technology, like hybrid composite works using structural steel and
high-performance reinforced concrete and intensive use of tensioning. There was also demand for super long-span
elements, extremely heavy structure or heavy lifting. Intelligent building, energy saving design, or procurement process
involving BIM as part of the operations, was becoming almost the “must” factors.
Even though the construction of buildings is not as challenging as civil engineering projects, the tendency in demanding
more innovative designs in terms of architecture, visual impact, spatial layout, structural performance, or the call-in of
multi-functional designs and building intelligence etc. poses other challenges. Hong Kong lags behind world standard due
to our conservative mindset, particularly when it is confined by budget and profit returns. However, we cannot ignore the
world trend that responds to the needs of an increasingly enhanced living standard in the modern era.
Judging from a global point of view, Hong Kong does not have many iconic buildings that are presentable in term of
architecture or other innovative design that we can really proud of. We are just doing something accordingly without any
specialty when compare to other overseas cases including those in Mainland China.
The International Commerce Centre, the Cruise Terminal in Kai Tak, and some marginal cases like the Langham Place
Complex or Mega Box in Kowloon Bay, can hardly be described as magnificent examples. Similarly, the situation in areas of
residential projects is rather dull lacking real innovations.
The only thing special in Hong Kong is that many projects need a complicated site formation input in order to locate the
land and the facilities due to Hong Kong’s specific topographical condition. For the past 15 years the Butcher’s in Kennedy
Town, the Celestial Heights in Kowloon City, and the Parc Palais in Ho Man Tin, are examples that involved a large-scale and
complicated site formation process that eye-marked some engineering challenges.
Conclusion
This paper attempts to give a brief review of the development of the construction industry of Hong Kong in the past 50
years, what the construction industry has gone through and what it has achieved. By recalling the major changes and
milestones, the writer hopes to provide a side reference for practitioners in the industry as well as the general public
towards an area what we called the construction profession that has been often neglected.
It is not easy to use a few thousand words to tell a story spanning more than 50 years. With the use of some record photos
taken by the writer as a supplement to his writing, the writer hopes the impact and appeal of this paper can be further
enhanced.
理事 2016-2017Office Bearers
執行委員 2016-2017Council Members
Imm. Past PresidentNg Hung Fat
Past President &Public Relations Officer
Liu Chow Wai, Rick
PresidentChang Chung To, Charles
Vice President,Internal Affairs
Chan Tak Wah, Victory
Advisory Board MemberLi Tak Hong, Dick
Advisory Board Member& Honorary Member
Shin Tze Shun, Jason
Chairman,Examination Board
(2015 - 2017)Kwok Chun Keung, Samuel
Senior Committee OfficerLam Kong Ngan, Kenny
Senior Committee OfficerHui Kin Chung, Alex
Honorary Secretary,Examination Board
(2015 - 2017)Eric Kwok
Senior Committee OfficerNg Wai Hung, Henry
Assistant Secretary,Examination Board
(2015 - 2017)Lee Kam Sing, Tony
Honorary SecretaryKung Hung Kwong
Editor of JournalHui Tim Leung, Thomas
Advisory Board MemberCheung Yung Chi, Michael
Committee OfficerHung Po Lung, Ken
Committee OfficerKwok Chit Chun, Teddy
Committee OfficerWong Lai Yee, Pheonna
Committee OfficerTam Kam Hung, Frank
Committee OfficerCheung Ho Yin, Vincent
Honorary TreasurerYeung Wai Hung, Clement
Vice President,External Affairs
Fok Tak Hung, Tony
P21P20
20 | 21
Civil projects started in those years in Hong Kong also posed a challenge as the old ways did not work anymore. The scale
and complexity of the projects were of course part of the issue. The difficulty to find space in the remaining buildable
locations within the territory was the main concern. In other word, it became a challenge to find room to build new
facilities to accommodate the needs of an ever growing community, whether it is a railway line, a highway, a
water-treatment plant or other public facilities. To make it possible to build these facilities, various kinds of relocations,
compensations and recovering work needed to be incorporated into the overall planning of the projects. And there was
no exception with the projects included in the 10 Major Infrastructure Projects launched in 2007 and many other related
on-going projects. The West Island Line, Express Rail Link, Shatin-Central Link, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Central Wanchai
Bypass, and the soon-to-come Central Kowloon Route and the new tunnel to Tseung Kwan O, are typical examples.
Take the Shatin-Central Link (SCL) project as an example for elaboration. The new railway line has at least two challenging
locations to tackle. One is the diversion of the route as it cuts across the busiest junction between Chatham Road and Hong
Chong Road, which is the main traffic entrance to the tolling plaza of the Cross Harbour Tunnel. It is also the interchange
for more than 8 lines of traffic and a servicing rail line. The other location is the approach tunnel section entering the new
harbour crossing tunnel of the SCL, where the existing tunnel tube for the Cross Harbour Tunnel is within less than 100m
from the new tunnel tube. The Hong Kong side faces a similar situation where the tunnel lands in Causeway Bay. The photo
below visually explains the situation.
Introduction Hong Kong’s construction industry was a traditional business dominated by Chinese-style family-run construction firms back in the 1950s. Overseas contractors entered the industry on a large scale in the mid-1970s, when Hong Kong started to construct the first MTR lines. Over the years, overseas contractors, backed by their expertise and adapting to the local market, has gradually become a strong work force in the construction industry in Hong Kong.
Construction technologies and practices have changed over the years as well. For instance, construction engineers of the younger generation may not be familiar with inches/feet or ounces/pounds, as the old measuring system was gradually replaced by the metric system using metres and kilograms. Hand-mixing of concrete is mostly replaced by ready-mix concrete based on precise mix design. The use of concrete hoist and labor-intensive method to place concrete can hardly be seen today. Concrete pump and tower crane are common equipment at most work sites. Traditional timber formwork is also replaced in most situations by system formwork. Precast and prefabricated construction is a common trend nowadays, not to mention the mega building structures and civil projects that are built deep underground or high above in super high-rise towers. The complexity of the working environment is more challenging than any layman can imagine. And these are only the beginning of ongoing changes as we advance in the new era of a cyber world.
This paper tries to give a brief review to what the Hong Kong construction industry has gone through in the past 50 years as we brace ourselves for a quantum jump that is awaiting the entire construction profession.
Family-based Construction Mode of the 1950s and 60sConstruction as a business was mainly run in the Chinese family-based manner during this early period. Nevertheless, contractors still needed to be registered under the Building Ordinance. Only a registered contractor could get into the business in spite of the company’s scale, experience or financial capacity.
The major partners of a contracting firm usually managed the company using personal network and handled all construction related operations through experience. For example, paper submissions required authorized signatures of a registered contractor, a job could be secured either with or without tendering, the contractor did the pricing, estimating and sub-letting, all alone. They also managed the whole project personally, starting from construction planning, carrying out all site works and supervision, resourcing management and controlling cost, handling all project coordination-related matters, controlling sub-contractors, taking care of payment and contract administration, if there was a formal contract, and finally, delivering the completed project and so forth. All these responsibilities would be taken care of by a small team of 3 or 4 persons, including the owner of the contracting firm himself depending on the scale of the job. Professional qualification was a remote concept for most of the contractors. Personal reputation and trade practices were the key guarantee factors for the success of a job.
In addition to local contractors, there were also some immigrant contractors from China (mainly Shanghai) who came to Hong Kong after 1949. Based on their experience and reputation established in the more internationalized city of Shanghai decades before, these contractors were undoubtedly in a better position and had better capability in handling construction projects during that period. They even set a standard for the development of the construction industry in Hong Kong.
The setting-up of the site was fairly free as there was lacking a strong mandatory or statutory framework to oversee site
operations. Other than a work consent to be submitted by the contractor who promised to abide by all necessary
regulations, other essential provisions, like the site layout setting, site access, fencing and hoarding or other safety set-ups,
were provided on a discretionary basis for the convenience of the contractors. The situation for government projects was
slightly better for the government still had some basic guidelines and practices to follow. Needless to mention, corruption
was fairly common among project-control executives at almost all levels.
Staffing criterion was lax. An experienced site agent or simply a general foreman who could read construction drawings
would be good enough to manage most of the projects. A building certificate was all that was needed in most cases to
handle a government job. Professional qualification was needed only for such posts that required statutory needs, like
the Authorized Person (usually the architect) that represented the clients, or the registered engineer for
engineering-related submissions. The government itself, on the other hand, had a strong professional team composed
of architects, engineers and surveyors in fulfilling the procurement and controls over all government projects. In a
limited way, Hong Kong followed the UK system in principle in administering the entire construction process.
Except for a few key personnel managing the project for the contractor, like the site agent, general foreman, leveler,
mechanic, site clerk etc., almost all site works were sub-let with workers under the control of the sub-contractors. These
sub-contractors were usually further divided into various trades, like the excavator, caisson worker, concreter, steel bender,
formworker, carpenter, plasterer, bricklayer, scaffolder, plumber, drain-layer… Except for the general laborers, all workers
were trained under a 3 to 4-year apprenticeship system. This effectively guaranteed that workers were competent in their
own trade of work after years of training.
Materials used in construction were traditional as well. Structural materials like cement, aggregate and reinforcing steel,
had their specific standard. There were seldom any problems except in some cheating cases where figures were fabricated
for illicit returns. For other materials like common bricks, metal works, timber or joinery products, or decorative materials,
quality could fluctuate, depending on budget specifications, sub-contractors used, workmanship performance,
inter-personal relationship and, sometimes, even the conscience of the work team and so forth.
Heavy equipment, like tower cranes, mobile cranes, excavating and rock breaking machines, heavy dumpers and lorries,
was rare in those years unless for very large scale projects. Diesel or electric driven concrete mixers were almost the only
equipment that could be found on site. Most of the jobs, such as transporting and placing of concrete even for
multi-storey buildings, or excavation and rock cutting, were carried out in a labor-intensive manner. Hand tools were the
most common and effective equipment used at construction sites. A simple hoisting rack powered by an electric winch
equipped with a lifting rod was considered a good set-up. To sum it simply, things were done in the old way.
The imperial scale, like ounces and
pounds, inches and feet, was used;
temperature was measured in
Fahrenheit. For people used to the
metric system, the imperial scale
might cause some inconvenience,
yet people in the industry in those
days were accustomed to using
manuals, scale rules or calculation
tables created with the imperial
scale, which did not cause any
trouble at all.
Property developments, mainly in the form of residential and commercial developments, were a big business mostly
carried out by private sectors during this period. Property developers with a clear profit-making objective were the
pushing hands behind the development.
During this period, especially in the 1970s, the construction industry underwent such rapid development that it went full
steam in various spheres of constructions, from the establishment of new towns of Shatin and Tuen Mun, to new
reclamation areas in Wanchai, Central and Mong Kok, and countless new projects both from the government and private
sectors. Contractors and consulting agents were in hot demand. Adding to that was the planning and construction of the
first mass transit railway lines during the 1970s-80s, followed by related real estate developments along these lines.
It bears remembering that there were only a few high-rise buildings constructed during the entire 1950s. In order to
construct affordable housing, most of the residential buildings were no more than 8 or 9 storeys at the tallest, for this could
be exempted from the requirement of providing an elevator. Office buildings had their own requirements but there were
not so many of them. In order to build in the most economical way, simple in-situ RC frames using columns and beams
with brick infilling for exterior and interior walls were the most popular form of construction.
In short, traditional construction technologies and practices of the 1960s can be characterized as labor intensive under
strong influence of informal human relationship. But even during this early period, Government, with its strong
professional team, played a key role in upholding a reasonable standard for government-related projects, which explains
the transition to a more systematic construction practice in the 70s and 80s when a great number of public and private
projects were kicked off in full scale hitting the coming climax of development.
Fast Development Years of the 1970s and 80s
In spite of the social-political riots of the 50s and 60s resulting from the political turmoil in mainland China, Hong Kong was
able to seize the opportunity to develop into a world manufacturing center based on the rapid development of its light
industry. Getting into the 70s, Hong Kong started to migrate from manufacturing to financial services. With the economic
boom and tremendous changes, there was an urgent need to provide effective urban facilities to substantiate the onward
development of Hong Kong. Out of these, investments into infrastructure were of the utmost importance.
Infrastructure development in Hong Kong included, in particular, transportation facilities ranging from highway and
railway networks; port and airport facilities; establishment of new towns or other land formation projects; public works,
including government facilities, medical, institutional and public housing; as well as other environmental and public
utility-related support structures. In all these projects, the Hong Kong government and her representatives, as well as other
civil and building contractors, were the main players.
The business environment for the construction industry also changed in the 1970s with the establishment of the ICAC
(Independent Commission Again Corruption) in 1974. The industry could not conduct their business or made easy money
in the same way as before. Instead, they had to abide by the rules of the game. However, there was still a huge potential for
growth. And the construction sector still enjoyed a lot of flexibility due to the complex structure of the industry. In this
respect, the administrative system in running the construction business was still relatively easy. Flaws could still be found
everywhere. That was reflected in such areas as effectiveness of project procurement which safeguarded all stack-holders,
quality of work output, cost control or contract administration matters and so forth.
In view of this, a major revision of the Building Ordinance was introduced in 1976 with the aim to avoid, prevent and
eliminate flaws in the construction industry. This was also regarded as one of the results of the achievement of the ICAC.
Besides, a significant portion of the revision was so made to enhance the quality of building design and to renew some of
the old architectural practices and technical standards inherited from before WW2. Some major changes were introduced,
aiming particularly to establish a tighter control on the building administration process and to eliminate all possibilities for
corruption. This was only the first wave to upgrade the performance of the construction industry. But it was not enough.
Though there was the uncertainty of the handing over of the sovereignty in the early part of 1980s, Hong Kong was still able
to undergo huge development due to the demand of more than 6 million local residents. Fulfilling their daily needs and
providing better housing for a population of this scale created opportunities for the construction sector, which were as busy
as before, even with the holdup of some long-term and mega-sized projects by the government and other investors.
The major projects that made the construction industry going as usual were general building works. By that period, a large
number of public and private housing estates were constructed to satisfy the needs of a steadily growing population. The
Oi Man Estate and many 2nd generation public estates all over the territory to replace early resettlement houses were
typical examples of the government inputs, while Mei Foo Sun Chuen, Whampoa Estate and Tai Koo Shing represented
major private residential developments.
The demand for housing was so great that the property market was skewed to be led by the developers. Home buyers
needed to queue up in long lines for a quota to buy a new flat. The result was: the quality of the building, either in design,
material and workmanship, was not a major concern for the developers. This was a simple supply and demand rule. The
government understood the situation, but no immediate actions were taken to rectify it. This situation lingered.
Later on, however, some actions were initiated to enhance the performance standard of the industry. Such initiatives
included the implementation of some quality/performance management systems like the ISO and the PASS (Performance
Assessment Scoring System). It took almost two decades for such concepts to sink in and become the common practice
which re-shaped the entire industry.
The Construction Boom in the 1990s
The cloud of uncertainty of Hong Kong’s future lifted a bit after the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration at the end
of 1984. The position of Hong Kong was further ensured after the announcement of the new airport projects in the early
1990s. By bringing-in the HK$180-billion airport projects, all local and overseas investors were encouraged to put in
capitals to buy for themselves a more prosperous future. The construction industry was booming with so many
infrastructure projects and various building projects that no one in the industry was sitting idle. This cooled down a bit with
the outbreak of the economic crisis that swept through Asia in 1998.
The construction scale was so huge and complex for the new air airport projects, the construction sectors were given more
than 5 years to complete all the projects. Overseas expertise could give certain help, such as in the construction of the
Tsing Ma Bridge, yet all the other projects, including the Western Harbour Crossing, the Airport Railway, the Terminal
Building and related facilities, were handled by local contractors and their associates in the form of joint venture
partnerships. Viewing from another angle, the construction of the new airport in fact was a practical knowledge transfer
process that provided valuable eye-sight and experience to the construction industry.
At the same time, the private sectors were also very active. Mega projects like the International Financial Centre, Cheung
Kong Center, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre were being built almost at the same time as the new
airport which was scheduled to be up and running in anticipation of the big day of handing over. The hot construction
wave during this decade might be regarded as a warm-up period for the forth-coming wave in development after the
millennium. As a result, the capacity of the local construction practitioners got expanded again after the 1990s.
Technologically speaking, the1990s might still be viewed as an old-tech era. Except the use of a few modern machines like
the hydraulic heavy jacking systems, launching gantries for highway construction, mechanical formwork system for super
high-rise towers, everything were done in a traditional way in principle. Other than that, concerns toward the use of
high-tech equipment in construction, safety, quality of work, protection of environment, welfare to human workers, were
still somewhat being ignored. The industry did not have real motivation to make substantial improvement in those areas.
In view of this, some initiatives were taken with a wish to change or enhance the ecology of the construction industry in
the coming decade, led by the government and some pro-active contractors who understood that the construction
industry would lag further behind world standards in the new era.
The government’s initiative has achieved at least toward one target: encouraging the use of more high-tech and
environmentally friendly technique in construction. That is the use of more precast elements in building works. Other than
the use of more precast elements to construct standard public houses like the Harmony or Concord blocks, the
government also launched a series of projects specifying the use of a higher percentage of precast elements in the
construction process. Typical examples included projects administered under the Architectural Services Department for
the new 2000 school design, government quarters and other facilities like government warehouse and offices.
Transformation Years in the 2000s
By the end of 1990s, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, appointed Mr. Henry Tang to set up a “Construction Industry
Review Committee” to conduct a review of the construction industry in Hong Kong. The objective of such a review was to
understand more thoroughly the background and weaknesses of the industry and come up with suggestions to improve
the overall performance of the industry in the long run. After a 2-year intensive investigation and studies, Mr Tang
submitted a review report in January 2001.
The following was quoted from the introduction of Mr Tang’s Executive Summary report:
“There are a number of shortcomings in the industry’s operations and in the quality of its products. Local construction
activities are labour-intensive, dangerous and polluting. Built products are seldom defect-free. Construction costs are
comparatively high. The industry is very fragmented and is beset with an adversarial culture. Many industry participants
adopt a short-term view on business development, with little interest in enhancing their long-term competitiveness. There
is a tendency to award contracts to the lowest bidders and delivery programmes are often unrealistically compressed.
Accountability is undermined by the prevalence of non-value adding multi-layered subcontracting and lax supervision. An
inadequately trained workforce also impairs the industry’s ability to adopt new technologies and to cope with new
challenges“.
I believe no one in the construction industry would object to the statements made by Mr Tang in the report.
The report suggested a series of targets to be achieved so as to restructure the industry in a holistic manner. This included
stipulating a vision for growth and development of the industry, fostering a quality culture, achieving distinctive value in
construction procurement, nurturing a professional workforce, as well as creating an efficient, innovative, productive, safer,
more environmentally friendly work environment. The report also came up with recommendations of an institutional
framework for implementing these targets in a workable future.
Based on these recommendations, the Building Department representing the government in most cases took the lead in
exercising such improvement plans through tighter control in construction, particularly in the contractor operation and
site work levels. Other organizations including all the concerning professional institutions, contractors and trade
associations, research and vocational institutions, or even the Construction Industry Council, were participating in this
transforming process.
There were a number of actions taken to actualize such initiatives. One representative action was the launching of the Site
Supervision Plan which made it mandatory by issuing a Technical Memorandum and Code of Practice under similar title.
These documents stipulated the responsibility of the project teams and related stakeholders, as well as detailing the ways
and practices to carry out site works as stipulated.
The other action was the formulation of a series of “Joint Practice Notes”, issued jointly by the Building Department, Lands
Department and Planning Department. The objective was to encourage the design and construction of buildings that
adopted a holistic life cycle approach, maximizing the use of renewable resources and green materials, minimizing the
consumption of energy and reducing construction waste. By doing so, certain bonus in the form of extra gross floor areas
was given to the developers as an encouragement for adopting these practices. Besides introducing more innovative
building designs to satisfy such criteria, using more precast elements was another way, an easy way as well, to get that
bonus. Finally, it triggered a hot wave in the use of precast constructions, which were used even for super high-rise
structures up to 60 to 70 storeys tall.
The 2000s was also a milestone era for railway and highway developments. A total of 6 railway lines were completed and
put into operation during the period. They were the West Rail, Tseung Kwan O Line, Ma On Shan Line, Disney Line, the
Kowloon Southern Link and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line. Highway projects including the improvement and widening of the
Castle Peak Road, completion of the Deep Bay Link and Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Corridor, Route 3, Route 5 and
Route 8, were representative of the infrastructure projects being completed during the 2000s.
In addition to providing work opportunities for the construction industry, these mega projects also produced a strong
rippling effect that heated up developments from the private sectors.
The outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in 2003 was a major social event that affected the industry
deeply in the 2000s. As a result of the epidemic, the entire community and related economy were slowed down causing
serious economic impacts. People tried not to make physical contact with each other as far as possible to avoid possible
infection. This situation lasted almost 2 years. Many construction practitioners and workers were laid off due to lack of jobs
and many construction agencies closed down.
As one of the “rescue” actions to the economy, the government of Hong Kong successfully coordinated with the Central
Government of the Mainland and launched the “Individual Visit and Multiple-Entry Permit Scheme”, which allows visitors
from mainland China to enter Hong Kong mainly for tourism purposes. This scheme anticipated that thousands of visitors
would visit Hong Kong daily and their consumption would help the local economy. It worked finally and stimulated
investors to put in capitals in, say, constructing more hotels and shopping malls, upgrading existing tourist and commercial
facilities, as well as other associated hardware infrastructures. By the end of the 2000s, even the property market heated up.
Significant number of visitors, mainly from mainland China, came to Hong Kong and bought residential properties either
for their own use or just as a kind of investment. All this created a multiplying effect and the entire construction sector
benefited from that.
Meanwhile, after nearly 10 years of reform in the construction industry after the issuance of Mr Tang’s Review Report, many
stake-holders in the industry transformed themselves in order to meet the anticipated challenges. To a certain extent, the
construction industry performed substantially better than the previous decade.
The 10 Infrastructure Projects since 2010
In order to drive the economy forward as well as to substantiate the long-term development of Hong Kong, the then
Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang launched a new scheme known as the “10 Major Infrastructure Projects” in 2007. These
projects will draw in at least 30 billion dollars a year, spanning more than 10 years and covering 3 main core areas. They
include projects for the Transportation Infrastructure, Cross Boundary Infrastructure and New Urban Development.
The world-renowned projects, such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-HK Express Rail Link, Sha Tin Central Link and the
HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, are typical examples. Other projects of similar scale like the Central-Wanchai Bypass or
some highway improvement projects are not even counted in this category.
The majority of these infrastructure projects commenced in full-scale starting in 2010, except for a few that involved further
coordination and more detailed refining with the Mainland, like the Joint Development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop and the
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Airport Co-operation projects.
Construction started in 2010 and continued up till mid-2015, with signs of a bit slowing down in early 2016 due to the
completion of some of the projects. During the peak years, the entire construction sector faced serious shortage of work
resources, including manpower at both site and managerial levels, materials, equipment and other logistic support.
Manpower shortage drove up related expenses. Cost for materials and other supporting services were also rising to an
uncontrollable level. Costs went up, efficiency dropped and construction was delayed, adversely affecting the projects.
Though this might not be a direct factor influencing the ecology of the construction industry since the new millennium,
to a certain extent it caused some disturbances to the entire Hong Kong community. What we are talking is the “Operation
Building Bright” scheme launched by the government in 2009. The objective of this scheme was to provide financial
motivation to owners living in older buildings to maintain and upgrade their properties. The original idea was good for the
entire society would be benefited from this initiative forming part of the urban upgrading and renewal process.
To make the scheme works it needed the support of contractors. However, contractors in a better business position did not
have much interest in this scheme because of the tedious nature of such upgrading jobs. On the other hand, it created a
good business opportunity for small and medium-size contractor firms. A few years into the scheme, a few contractors
who were focusing on this kind of projects almost dominated the market, sometimes by taking advantage of the grey
areas within the existing legal framework and controlled the cost of work in an unreasonable rate. This caused a lot of
complaints from the actual users who were owners of the properties. Very often they were abided by a contract and
needed to pay a much higher cost in upgrading their buildings.
At the same time, this also extracted quite a number of manpower in the work front which further upset the labor
shortages within the construction industry.
The other concern is about accountability, safety, quality, and environmental protection issues that formed a prioritized
work objective for all construction projects. With an ongoing request for addressing such concerns for more than 15 years,
the construction sector was well established for safeguarding these interests. Strict and professional plans were mapped
out for controlling all construction activities almost from the preliminary stage of a project. While this might not mean that
everything was perfect, it was unquestionable that international standards were upheld.
Higher standards often came with a price. With the enhancement of quality and the enforcement of other construction
“best-practices”, construction cost went up tremendously within a relatively short period of time. Figures from the tender
price index made by the Architectural Services Department indicated that the index went up about 3 times as compared
to 2005. Construction cost tripled in just 10 years. Of course, the factors for such a sharp cost increase could be multiple,
and yet it was something the construction industry in particular and the entire society at large had to face.
Technological evolutions in the construction industry
The changes in the past half century are not possible without the evolution of technologies, which can be divided into 3
major eras, the traditional era before 1980s, followed by the taking-off period up to the late 1990s and then the modern era
since 2000s.
In the first era, constructions in Hong Kong were dominated by traditional technology. Except for the use of some
mechanical equipment like tower cranes, hydraulic or pneumatic machines and other power hand tools, everything else
depended on manual labor, not much different from the construction practices of the pre-war period. It was a very
labor-intensive line of work.
During the taking-off period, super high-rise buildings were getting more popular. Office buildings using central
air-conditioning with a core shaft and encased by a curtain wall envelop were becoming almost a standard design. Projects
were getting larger and larger, covering hectares of land with clusters of towers forming an expansive estate driven by
developers who sought economies of scale. The construction industry was compelled to adopt a more efficient way to
build by improving its management and using more advanced technologies. Such demands became more acute in the
early1990s because of the new airport projects and other strategic developments in anticipation of the hand-over in 1997.
The majority of the new technologies in construction during that period, however, were used for civil works, even though
the tunneling techniques and technologies used in constructing a cable suspension bridge or building a new railway line
could hardly be considered advanced at the time from a global point of view. Not to mention other technology applied to
building construction.
Thanks to the government’s initiative in promoting the concept of sustainability development and the recommendations
from the Construction Industry Review Report, new construction technologies were introduced as we got into the new
millennium to synchronize with global demand for advancement.
Quite a number of changes are introduced since the stepping into the new millennium.
Many mega building projects, in terms of demand of capital, scale, design and technical challenges, were started, including
such mega structures like the International Commerce Centre (ICC), Asia World Expo, K11 development, Extension to the
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and many other modern super high-rise office towers. The construction of
these mega structures called for advanced technology, like hybrid composite works using structural steel and
high-performance reinforced concrete and intensive use of tensioning. There was also demand for super long-span
elements, extremely heavy structure or heavy lifting. Intelligent building, energy saving design, or procurement process
involving BIM as part of the operations, was becoming almost the “must” factors.
Even though the construction of buildings is not as challenging as civil engineering projects, the tendency in demanding
more innovative designs in terms of architecture, visual impact, spatial layout, structural performance, or the call-in of
multi-functional designs and building intelligence etc. poses other challenges. Hong Kong lags behind world standard due
to our conservative mindset, particularly when it is confined by budget and profit returns. However, we cannot ignore the
world trend that responds to the needs of an increasingly enhanced living standard in the modern era.
Judging from a global point of view, Hong Kong does not have many iconic buildings that are presentable in term of
architecture or other innovative design that we can really proud of. We are just doing something accordingly without any
specialty when compare to other overseas cases including those in Mainland China.
The International Commerce Centre, the Cruise Terminal in Kai Tak, and some marginal cases like the Langham Place
Complex or Mega Box in Kowloon Bay, can hardly be described as magnificent examples. Similarly, the situation in areas of
residential projects is rather dull lacking real innovations.
The only thing special in Hong Kong is that many projects need a complicated site formation input in order to locate the
land and the facilities due to Hong Kong’s specific topographical condition. For the past 15 years the Butcher’s in Kennedy
Town, the Celestial Heights in Kowloon City, and the Parc Palais in Ho Man Tin, are examples that involved a large-scale and
complicated site formation process that eye-marked some engineering challenges.
Conclusion
This paper attempts to give a brief review of the development of the construction industry of Hong Kong in the past 50
years, what the construction industry has gone through and what it has achieved. By recalling the major changes and
milestones, the writer hopes to provide a side reference for practitioners in the industry as well as the general public
towards an area what we called the construction profession that has been often neglected.
It is not easy to use a few thousand words to tell a story spanning more than 50 years. With the use of some record photos
taken by the writer as a supplement to his writing, the writer hopes the impact and appeal of this paper can be further
enhanced.
理事 2016-2017Office Bearers
執行委員 2016-2017Council Members
Imm. Past PresidentNg Hung Fat
Past President &Public Relations Officer
Liu Chow Wai, Rick
PresidentChang Chung To, Charles
Vice President,Internal Affairs
Chan Tak Wah, Victory
Advisory Board MemberLi Tak Hong, Dick
Advisory Board Member& Honorary Member
Shin Tze Shun, Jason
Chairman,Examination Board
(2015 - 2017)Kwok Chun Keung, Samuel
Senior Committee OfficerLam Kong Ngan, Kenny
Senior Committee OfficerHui Kin Chung, Alex
Honorary Secretary,Examination Board
(2015 - 2017)Eric Kwok
Senior Committee OfficerNg Wai Hung, Henry
Assistant Secretary,Examination Board
(2015 - 2017)Lee Kam Sing, Tony
Honorary SecretaryKung Hung Kwong
Editor of JournalHui Tim Leung, Thomas
Advisory Board MemberCheung Yung Chi, Michael
Committee OfficerHung Po Lung, Ken
Committee OfficerKwok Chit Chun, Teddy
Committee OfficerWong Lai Yee, Pheonna
Committee OfficerTam Kam Hung, Frank
Committee OfficerCheung Ho Yin, Vincent
Honorary TreasurerYeung Wai Hung, Clement
Vice President,External Affairs
Fok Tak Hung, Tony
